Compressor



March 29, 1966 w. w. ADAMS 3,243,100

COMPRESSOR Filed Aug. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '20 INVENTOR WILLIAM W ADAMS 1514M WWW ATTORNEY United States Patent Office m,

3,243,100 COMPRESSOR William W. Adams,

Filed Aug. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 388,078 Claims. (Cl. 23058) The present invention relates to fluid compressors generally, and more specifically, to compressors for air or similar gaseous media.

A basic objective of this invention resides in the provision offa portable, self-contained compressor adapted for transportation while in operation, and having energizing means independent of an outside power source. A related object is to supply a portable air compressor adapted for operation from a storage battery source, the source being preferably of the rechargeable type.

Another objective is the provision of a readily transported source of air under pressure, operable in locations wherein no electrical outlet is available.

In the medical arts, certain apparatus is employed in the emergency and/ or continuous therapeutic treatment of congestive ailments such as asthma or emphysema. The apparatus often comprises pumping or such units, nebulizers, or other specific implements, each requiring for operation a continuous source of compressed air. Many patients require constant access to this apparatus, and further, the apparatus is often needed in areas having no power source such as at accident sites, and the like. To permit the use of the apparatus at locations having no readily available compressed air or power source, and to allow persons requiring constant access to the apparatus to travel about independent of compressed air or power sources, the instant invention furnishes a readily transported, selfrontained compressor unit operated either on conventional A.C. as supplied from electrical outlets, or from a rechargeable battery housed therein.

LAnother important object hereof concerns the provision of a compressor as aforesaid having a transport casing functioning, in part, as a compression storage chamber.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention-will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a'cons'ideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexeddrawings, in which:

' FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a compressor constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this-invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross section along the section line 33 of FIGURE 2, locking in the direction of the arrows;

, FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, detail view along the line 44 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;.and

FIGURE 5 is a partial, sectional view showing a modification.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, inFIGURES l-4, the compressor is generally identified by reference numeral 10. The compressor 10 comprises -a carrying case or casing 12 having a fiat base 14 of substantially rectangular form adapted for placement on a table 16 or other supporting surface to maintain the casing 12 in upright position. Integrally joined to the base 14 is an upwardly and inwardly sloping rear side wall 18, a forward flange 20 having an upper end 22, and opposite first and second outer end walls 24, 26, respectively. An integral outer top wall 28 is provided and is connected to the end walls and rear side wall.

8332 Verona Drive, Hyattsville, Md.

A front side wall 30 is provided and has end flanges 32, 34 and a top flange 36. The wall 30 is mounted on the upper end 22 of the flange 20 by hinges 38, and the top flange 36 has a lip 40 releasably engageable in an oppositely arranged lip 42 of the outer top wall 28. Thus, the outer casing provides an enclosure having a fixed base, rear side and end walls, and a releasable forward side wall.

The casing 12 further includes an inner structure comprising an inner bottom wall 44 arranged substantially parallel to the base 14, with integral first and second end walls 46 and 48, respectively, adjacent the first and second outer end Walls 24, 26. An inner rear wall'50 and forward flange 52 are secured to the wall 44, the top edge 54 of the rear wall 50 being fixed to the rear side wall 18 as indicated in FIGURE 2, and the forward flange having an outwardly bent, substantially rectangular ledge 56 integrally or otherwise fixed thereto and to the upper end 22 of the flange 20. Integral side ledges 58, 60 and upstanding sealing walls 62, 64 serve to complete the inner structure, and it will be seen that a sealed compression storage chamber is provided between the inner and outer casings.

Carrying handles 66 and 68 are provided on the top wall 28 and the top flange 36.

Mounted on the inner bottom wall 44 adjacent theplate 86 overlies thesame, separated therefrom -by a.

gasket 88. Plate 86 has a compound, piston receiving dome 90 formed therein with a communicating bore 92 extending upwardly therethrough. A flap valve 94 is mounted on the plate over. the base 92 to permit flui movement in one direction only, particularly, from the dome 90 to the other side of the plate 86. A cover 96 is mounted over the plate 86 and has a central dome 98 therein over the valve 94.'

An electrically driven motor 106 is mounted on a block 182 secured to the inner bottom wall 44, and has a motor flange 104 secured to the pump flange 82. The motor is provided .with a rotary power output spline 106 secured through suitable gearing or speed reduction means 198 (not shown in detail) to the motor. The motor and spline extend throughthe opening 80 into the pump housing 72. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the spline 106 is secured, through a balanced drive shaft assembly 110, in a bore 112 formed eccentrically in a piston bushing 114. A piston 116 has a depending arm 118 secured to the bushing 114 by a clamp 120. The piston has an upper face 122, which is connected to the gasket 88 by a plate 124 secured by screw means 126. Thus, rotation of the spline 106 and drive shaft assembly causes eccentric rotation of the bushing 114 resultant in reciprocating motion of the piston with consequent pumping action.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, air intake means 128 is provided and comprises a tubular conduit 130 extending into the pump cover 96. The cover 96 has an opening covered by a flap valve 132 to admit air from the conduit on the downward or suction stroke of the piston 116, and the input air flow may be controlled by a manual valve 134 exterior of the casing. The casing flange 32 is slotted at 136 to fit about the means 128 and permit opening and closing of the pivotal portion of the casing.

The intermediate plate 86 has an exhaust channel 138 formed therein in communication with the fitting 140.

3 The fitting 140, as seen-in FIGURES 3 and 4, extends through the end wall and permits discharge of the air into the compression storage chamber;

In FIGURE 5, a modified'pump structure also suitable for use in this combination is shown, like parts carrying similar numerals with a letter (1 added for distinction. The pump 70d comprises a piston 116a with a connecting rod 142a mounted on a plate 1444 connected for rotation with'the shaft 110a;

The invention provides a regulated air discharge fitting 146, mounted in an open'boss 148 in the end wall24. As shown in FIGURE '1, the fitting'is connected to the -medical apparatus 150, or the like, and supplies compressed air thereto from the compression storage chamber.

E.M.F. for energizationof the motor 100 is primarily supplied by arecha'rgeable battery 152, preferably of the silver cadmium-typecapable of delivery of sufficient cur-- rent to-operate-the motor and pumpfor a period of time such that a user of the pumpmay conveniently travel from place to-place; Anapproximate four hour battery operation'period has been foundsatisfactorybut this mayis conventional and commercially available', and is shown An elongated, tubular support in outline only herein. 7 154 having a base-156*connected to the inner bottom'wall 44 is provided. The support has an open top 158 to facilitate *placementandremoval of the battery;

Electrical plugrecepta'cle means 160 is mountedin the casing top wall 28,'andwires 162, 154 extend therefrom to a transformer 166 mounted on a cross wall 168 of the casing'and maintained therein by a retaining lip 17%);

Multi position switch means 172 is also mounted'on'the wall 28 and has two contacts 174 and 176 Signal lamp assemblies 178'and 180 are provided'andindicate either battery'or cord operation, respectively, when lighted; or when not lighted, indicate that'the compressor is not in operation. Various wiring arrangements for battery operation, operation from' current supplied through the transformer, or recharge positions may be employedfand hence, the wiring disclosed in the drawings is not described in detail. contacts'182 and 184 for connection with other suitable contacts on the motor, the lamp assemblies, and the switch.

An enclosure 186 is provided "for convenient storage of a power cord.

In operation, with the manual valve means 128 in an open position and the outlet valve 146' in a closed position, the motor is operated to cause air to be stored in the compression storage chamber. With medical apparatus 150 connected to the valve assembly 146, this valve is then open to a desired outlet position while operation of the motor is continued throughout the use of the apparatus; The provision of the compression storage chamber provides a safety factor since, in the event that the battery charge is expended, sufficient pressure remains in the compression storage chamber for operation of the unit until an alternative power source can be located.

Having described and illustrated embodiments of this invention in detail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrations are offered merely by Way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What isclaimed is:

1. A portable, self-contained compressor, for use with medical apparatus employing air under pressure, the compressor comprising:

a casing having a base, outer end walls, a fixed rear side wall, an outer top wall, and a front side wall The battery base 156 carries suitable;

4 hinged to the base and relcasably connected to the top wall;

the casing including an inner bottom wall, inner end walls, an inner top wall, and inner side walls, defining a compression storage chamber;

a pump, including a purnphousing with a housing bottom wall secured to the inner bottom wall of the casing adjacent one inner end wall thereof, having side walls and a housing cover, a reciprocally mounted piston in the housing, an intermediate plate disposed between the piston and the cover, flap valve means associated with the intermediate plate to admit air therethrough in one direction, a fluid inlet conduit extending from the pump housing to ambient atmosphere and having a regulated-opening to admit air within the housing below the'intermedia'te plate; a fluid conduit extending be'tween thepump housing and the one inner end wall of the casing, the conduitthereon and adapted for connection to-the medicalapparatus, the fitting communicatingwith-thecompression storage chamber; an electrically driven motor mounted on 'thecasing inner bottom wall and 'operatiVely connected'to the" pump to impart reciprocating movement to the piston;

a battery support secured to the casing inner bottom wall, the battery support having a rechargeable battery removably disposed therein and having elec-' trical conduction means extending to the motor to energize the same;

a multi-position switch mountedon the casing :outer top wall having at least an off position, a battery operation position, and a battery recharge position;

electrical plug receptacle means on thecasing outer wall; I

transformer means mounted in the casing to convert' current from the receptacle means; and

a pair of indicator lights on the casing, the lights indicating the switch position.

2. A portable, self-contained compressor, for use with medical apparatus employing air under pressure, the compressor comprising:

a casing including an outer structure and an inwardly spaced inner structure including 'an inner 'bottom wall; H

the inner andouter structures defining :a compression storage chamber therebetween; A ,7

the outer casing including at least one hinged wall'for access thereinto; I

a pump mounted within the casingand includinga housing secured to the inner bottom wall;

the pump including reciprocal piston means 'and a cover;

air inlet means extending through the casing to admit air between the piston and the cover, the las't named means including a flap valve arranged to block pressure escape;

conduit means for passage of the pumped air into the compression storage chamber; including 'a second flap valve;

regulated fitting means'on the' casing attached tothe medical apparatus to supply air under pressure thereto from the compression storage chamber;

a motor mounted in the casing to drive the pump; and

rechargeable battery means mounted in the casing'to' energize the mot-or.

3. A portable compressor for use with medical apparatus, the compressor comprising:

a casing including an outer structure and an inner' structure including an inner bottom wall;

the inner and outer structures defining a compression storage chamber therebetween;

a pump mounted within the casing and including a pump housing secured thereto, a reciprocal piston and a cover;

air inlet means extending through the casing to admit air between the piston and the cover, the last-named means including a valve arranged to block pressure escape;

conduit means for passage of the pumped air into the compression storage chamber;

regulated fitting means on the casing attached to the medical apparatus to supply air under pressure thereto from the compression storage chamber;

a motor mounted in the casing to drive the pump; and

rechargeable battery means mounted in the casing to energize the motor.

4. A portable compressor comprising:

a casing including an outer structure and an inwardly spaced inner structure, the structures defining a compression storage chamber therebetween;

pump means mounted within the casing;

air inlet means extending through the casing to admit air to the pump;

conduit means for passage of the pumped air into the compression storage chamber;

fitting means on the casing for discharge of compressed air from the compression storage chamber;

a motor mounted in the casing to drive the pump; and energizing means associated with the casing to energize the motor. 5. A portable compressor for therapeutic use adapted 5 for operation independent of a power source, comprising:

a casing including at least one wall adapted for opening for access thereto;

a pump mounted within the casing;

air inlet means extending through the casing to admit air to the pump; regulated fitting means on the casing to conduct air under pressure from the pump; a motor mounted within the casing to drive the pump; re-chargeable battery means mounted in the casing to energize the motor; and means, including electrical means, attached to the casing for recharging the battery upon connection to a power source.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,011,831 8/1935 Sinanide 230162 X 2,130,276 9/1938 Hornaday 230-58 2,517,145 8/1950 Tiedje 230-58 2,919,120 12/1959 Baxter 230-58 X ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED COMPRESSOR, FOR USE WITH MEDICAL APPARATUS EMPLOYING AIR UNDER PRESSURE, THE COMPRESSOR COMPRISING: A CASING HAVING A BASE, OUTER END WALLS, A FIXED REAR SIDE WALL, AN OUTER TOP WALL, AND A FRONT SIDE WALL HINGED TO THE BASE AND RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO THE TOP WALL; THE CASING INCLUDING AN INNER BOTTOM WALL, INNER END WALLS, AN INNER TOP WALL, AND INNER SIDE WALLS, DEFINING A COMPRESSION STORAGE CHAMBER; A PUMP, INCLUDING A PUMP HOUSING WITH A HOUSING BOTTOM WALL SECURED TO THE INNER BOTTOM WALL OF THE CASING ADJACENT ONE INNER END WALL THEREOF, HVING SIDE WALLS AND A HOUSING COVER, A RECIPROCALLY MOUNTED PISTON IN THE HOUSING, AN INTERMEDIATE PLAT DISPOSED BETWEEN THE PISTON AND THE COVER, FLAP VALVE MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERMEDIATE PLATE TO ADMIT AIR THERETHOUGH IN ONE DIRECTION, A FLUID INLET CONDUIT EXTENDING FROM THE PUMP HOUSING TO AMBIENT ATMOSPHERE AND HAVING A REGULATED OPENING TO ADMIT AIR WITHIN THE HOUSING BELOW THE INTERMEDIATE PLATE; A FLUID CONDUIT EXTENDING BETWEEN THE PUMP HOUSING AND THE ONE INNER END WALL OF THE CASING, THE CONDUIT BEING LOCATED BETWEEN THE INTERMEDIATE PLATE AND THE HOUSING COVER, AND EFFECTING TRANSFER OF PUMPED AIR FROM THE PUMP HOUSING INTO THE COMPRESSION STORAGE CHAMBER; THE CASING HAVING A REGULATED OUTLET FITTING MOUNTED THEREON AND ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO THE MEDICAL APPARATUS, THE FITTING COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMPRESSION STORAGE CHAMBER; AN ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MOTOR MOUNTED ON THE CASING INNER BOTTOM WALL AND OPERATIVELY MOVEMENT TO THE PUMP TO IMPART RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT TO THE PISTON; A BATTERY SUPPORT SECURED TO THE CASING INNER BOTTOM WALL, THE BATTERY SUPPORT HAVING A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY REMOVABLY DISPOSED THEREIN AND HAVING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION MEANS EXTENDING TO THE MOTOR TO ENERGIZE THE SAME; A MULTI-POSITION SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE CASING OUTER TOP WALL HAVING AT LEAST AN ON POSITION, A BATTERY OPERATION POSITION, AND A BATTERY RECHARGE POSITION; ELECTRICAL PLUG RECEPTACLE MEANS ON THE CASING OUTER WALL; TRANSFORMER MEANS MOUNTED IN THE CASING TO CONVERT CURRENT FROM THE RECEPTACLE MEANS; AND A PAIR OF INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE CASING, THE LIGHTS INDICATING THE SWITCH POSITION. 